Who was Shivank Avasthi, the Indian student shot dead near Toronto University campus?

An Indian doctoral student was shot dead in a shooting incident near the University of Toronto. This comes just days after an Indian woman, Himanshi Khurana, was found dead in her home in Toronto.

The incident took place near the university’s Scarborough Campus on Tuesday (December 23), according to the Toronto Police Service. According to India Today, the police arrived in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area and pronounced 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi dead at the scene.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto has expressed grief over the killing and stated that it is providing all the necessary assistance to the local authorities.

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We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Mr. Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending…

— IndiainToronto (@IndiainToronto) December 25, 2025

Here is all you need to know about the incident.

• Shivank Avasthi, 20, was shot dead near the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus on Tuesday (December 23).

• The Toronto Police pronounced him dead at the scene of the crime i.e. near the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road, around 3:30 pm after suffering a gunshot wound.

• According to the police, the suspects fled the scene.

• Avasthi has been identified as a third-year life sciences student who visited the Campus Valley area regularly, an area that was promoted and highlighted by the university.

• Avasthi was a member of the University of Toronto Scarborough cheerleading team as well. The team paid tribute to him on Instagram. It stated, “We are deeply saddened and in shock by the sudden loss of a beloved Maroon, Shivank Avasthi,” the team said, recalling how he lifted spirits during practice with his encouragement and support. “He brought a smile to anyone’s face, and we were lucky to have him as part of our team. He will always be part of our UTSC Cheer family.”

• The shooting incident prompted a lockdown at the university’s Scarborough campus on Tuesday and early evening, while students were instructed to avoid the Valley until further notice.

• The incident has raised safety concerns among students. According to reports, they flagged security concerns several times earlier but the university did not pay much attention to their concerns.

• Students also criticised the limited information released about suspects and their motives.

• A spokesperson of the University of Toronto stated that on-site students are receiving grief counselling and mental health support.

• The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed concern over the incident. In a post on X, it stated that the consulate has been in touch with the bereaved family during the difficult time and is extending all necessary assistance to local authorities.

• The shooting comes days after an Indian-origin woman was found murdered in Toronto. Himanshi Khurana was found dead in her residence on December 20.

• The Canadian Police issued a nationwide warrant against Abdul Ghafoori in an act of intimate partner violence.

With inputs from agencies